The Astoria Police Department’s newest recruit comes with four paws and a relentlessly wagging tail.

Kalani, a gentle 4-year-old pit bull mix, has found a temporary sanctuary as the police department embraces the Clatsop County Animal Shelter’s foster program.

Jodie Frost, the senior communications operator at the station’s dispatch center, said the police department had been wanting a dog for a long time.

“A lot of us were talking about maybe adopting a dog because therapy dogs and dogs in work centers always help the employees with mental health and things like that,” she said. “So I did some research, and then I thought about how the shelter is so overrun with dogs and it’s really sad. So I just thought maybe fostering a dog would be really good.”

When Frost spoke to Justin Dersham, the animal control supervisor, the plan came together. Dersham helped the station select Kalani, who had been at the shelter for weeks and was beginning to emotionally shut down due to the everyday stressors and confinement of shelter living.

Now, Kalani bounds up and down the station’s hallways chasing after her new toys, and officers have been teaching her how to shake hands and lie down on command.

“She has come out of her shell so much since she’s been here, about 2 1/2 weeks,” Frost said. “When she first got here, she wasn’t sure about what was going on, but then she just kind of blossomed. Now she knows where to go for treats, and she makes her little rounds. Everybody takes turns walking her, making sure she’s fed and loved.”

Kalani isn’t the only one at the station who has perked up. Staff brightens when they see her and look forward to seeing her when they come into work each day. For police officers and dispatchers, Kalani has been a welcome source of light and playfulness amid a constant flow of calls that can often be distressing and overwhelming.

“Even the guys at the fire department come over and take her for walks,” Frost said. “A couple of days ago they came and brought me coffee, and they brought her a pup cup.”

Fostering also opens up space for new dogs to be accepted at the shelter in Warrenton, which often struggles with limited capacity.

Dersham said the shelter is so full that they can no longer accept dogs surrendered by owners. The shelter has been depending on people in the community to foster so they can accept strays and provide quality care for the dogs who have been living there.

“Please encourage those interested in adopting to make an appointment to meet a pet,” he said in an email to The Astorian. “Since we have made widespread use of our fosters to help create space, many of our dogs are not physically in the shelter.”

Kalani has already had one person come to the station to consider adopting her, and more are yet to come. She’s revealed an engaging and loving personality, and has become a better candidate for adoption along the way.

“Her home is out there,” Frost said. “I’m hoping this program helps her find her special forever home, because she deserves it.”